World wine output hits 60-year low

PARIS: Global wine output fell to its lowest level in 60 years in 2017 due to poor weather conditions in the European Union that slashed production in the bloc, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) said.

Wine production totalled 250 million hectolitres last year, down 8.6% from 2016, data from the Paris-based OIV released yesterday showed. It is the lowest level since 1957, when it had fallen to 173.8 million hectolitres.

A hectolitre represents 100 litres, or the equivalent of just over 133 standard 75 cl wine bottles.

All top wine producers in the EU have been hit by harsh weather last year, which lead to an overall fall in the bloc of 14.6% to 141 million hectolitres.

The OIV’s projections, which exclude juice and must (new wine), put Italian wine production down 17% at 42.5 million hectolitres, French output down 19% at 36.7 million and Spanish production down 20% at 32.1 million.

The French government said last year production had hit a record low due to a series of poor weather conditions including spring frosts, drought and storms that affected most of the main growing regions including Bordeaux and Champagne.

In contrast, production remained nearly stable in the United States, the world’s fourth-largest producer, and China, which has become the world’s seventh-largest wine producer behind Australia and Argentina.

Global wine consumption edged higher at around 243 million hectolitres in 2017, up 1.8% from a year earlier. The US confirmed its position as the world’s biggest consumer with 32.6 million hectolitres, followed by France at 27 million.

Chinese wine consumption rose significantly for a third year in a row with an increase in 2017 of 3.5% to 17.9 million hectolitres.

On the export market, Spain remains the largest exporting country by volume with a global market share of 20.5%, while France keeps its leading position in value with €9.0 billion ($11 billion) of wine exported last year.

In total, global exports totalled 107.9 million hectolitres in 2017, up 3.8%, and €30.4 billion in value, an increase of 4.8%.